This new partnership with Complexions Spa will specifically assist MatterofTrust.org in making oil spill hairmats out of salon hair clippings swept off the floor and previously discarded. Because hair is a natural absorbent fiber, the clippings are used to create oil spill hairmats and help contain disastrous petroleum spills. The hair is stuffed into tubes (booms) made from recycled nylons and used for emergency oil spills around the nation. The mats are also extremely efficient for oil drip pans, machinery, pipelines, and even as booms for storm drains.

“There are more than 370,000 hair salons in the U.S. and each salon collects conservatively about one pound of hair a day. Right now, most of that goes into the waste stream. Imagine the positive environmental impact if more salons donated their hair clippings to this great effort,” said Denise Dubois, owner, Complexions Spa & Salon. “Being a LEED certified spa we are always looking for ways to protect and improve our environment. Therefore, the opportunity to team-up with MatterofTrust.org was a very natural fit for us.”

“Thanks to spas and salons like Complexions donating their hair clippings, we are encouraged and optimistic about our ecological future,” said Lisa Gautier President and Executive Director at MatterofTrust.org. We are very fond of this planet and respectfully consider her to be a Matter of Trust.”

Complexions Spa earned Gold certification in May of 2009 under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED rating system for new construction. Complexions Spa saves more than $10,000 annually in utility bills with its energy-efficient measures. The greenhouse gas savings is estimated at 56 tons annually, the equivalent of the co2 emissions from the electricity use of nearly seven homes for one year.

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Complexions Partners with Matter of Trust by donating hair clippings is a post from: Complexions, a Day Spa & Hair Salon in Albany NY

From now until October 31st, Complexions will be offering two different ways for you to help fund the fight:

1. Pink Hair Extensions For Hope Extensions ($10.00 each) – Your donation will be given IN FULL to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Each $10 dollar donation includes the application and removal of one Pink SO.CAP.USA Hair Extension!
2. Pink Pomegranate Pedicure ($70.00) – With $15.00 of each & every service going directly to the American Cancer Society, this delicious 50 minute treatment using Eco-Friendly Complexions Pomegranate rich in anti-oxidants. The Think Pink Pomegranate Pedicure is a special, super-healthy treatment that makes you feel good from the inside out, pampering your toes while giving back to an important cause.  What’s more, the first 50 to donate get a special free gift and one pink ribbon nail art!

Our goal is to better last year’s amazing results of over 100 hair extensions and 200 pedicures – I think we can do it, but we’re definitely going to need a lot of help spreading the word. Check back in for a weekly update of how we’re doing as I think Kim & Mari will be posting a running tally of our progress :)

Help Fund Breast Cancer Research with Pink Hair Extensions & Pomegranate Pedicures is a post from: Complexions, a Day Spa & Hair Salon in Albany NY

Image by Desirée Delgado via Flickr

With Summer on its way out and Fall fast approaching there is always an added buzz in our Albany Hair Salon. It’s no secret that the Sun has damaging affects on the integrity of your hair texture and color. The common theme in the salon following the summer months is always trying to get our clients hair back in to great shape after the wear and tear of summer fun!

Complexions now offers Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy. Thermal Reconditioning is fast becoming yesterdays news. The Keratin Complex by Coppola is a treatment that infuses keratin into the hair and then gets sealed in. The hair will remain pliable and not stiff to the touch. It will take away all the frizz and about 80% of the curl. This gives you the option of curly or straight. (With the Japanese Relaxer you’re stuck with straight) If you choose to Blow-Dry it will also reduce drying time about 60%. The treatment should last about 5 months and dissipates as time goes by. The product is also cumulative and after the second treatment should last even longer.

The results from this are amazing! I have to say, as a stylist for seven years, I was skeptical of this product when it was first introduced to me. I have always felt that relaxing the hair always takes away some of the integrity of the hair. This product does just the opposite! It actually improves the texture and condition of the hair.

I asked my longtime client Brittany to come and let me try it out on her. Brittany has thick curly hair that we highlight. She loves to where her hair smooth and straight and was always a slave to the blow dryer and the flatiron. The combination of highlighting and heat styling was drying her hair out like crazy! After we did the treatment her hair was straight, but still had life and body. Her frizz was virtually non-existent! Her hair felt hydrated and soft. We were both 100% satisfied, even blown-away, by the results!

Before Hair Smoothing…

Very frizzy hair plus quite a few curls :(

After Hair Smoothing…

Smooth, silky, frizz-free hair!

I highly recommend coming in for the service if you are looking for beautiful smooth, healthy hair. The service can take anywhere from 2-5 hours depending on the length and density of the hair. You can not wash, pull up or clip your hair for three days after the service. The Keratin needs time to harden in the hair. If you get your hair wet during that time period you simply just blow dry and flat iron. If you have colored your hair it s great to do this service to increase the longevity of the color. By sealing the Keratin into the cuticle, it works as an anti-fade complex. Call to set up a consultation appointment with either Kim or Jenna! This service will really change your life!

Hope to see you soon!

Kim Hannell, Senior Stylist & Colorist at Complexions Spa & Salon

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Keratin Complex by Coppola = A Hair Smoothing & Reconditioning Revolution is a post from: Complexions, a Day Spa & Hair Salon in Albany NY

1. Apply product as needed.  make sure you have clips and brushes ready, as well as your blowdryer.
2. Assess and cowlicks, or “problem areas”  in your hair. These are the areas you will want to attend to first.  Whether it be a cowlick in your bangs or a double crown (whirls in the crown). You will want to do some “directional drying” on these areas first.  Blow them in the direction that you want them to lay.  Use your fingers to assist with this process.  If you have a sweeping bang, you will want to direct the airflow down and toward the front of your face to get that nice “sweep” across the forehead.
3. Work the excess moisture out of your hair. If you are looking for more volume take this time to direct the roots of your hair in the opposite direction they are going to lay.  This helps create lift.  if you are trying to smooth out curl, use your fingers to create tension on each section of hair to pull it straight at the root.
4. Once the hair is almost dry, clip your hair so that you are working with 2-4″ sections, depending on the density of your hair.  Thinner hair can take larger sections, while thicker hair needs smaller ones.  Direct the airflow down the hairshaft  while using your other hand to work the brush.  Dry the roots first and work down to the ends.  Make sure each section is completely dry before moving onto the next.  If you are looking to add more volume or bend into your hair, let each section cool down on the brush.  Let the hair fall off the brush and do not touch it until it is completely cooled, or “set”.
5. After you have completed your brush work, give your hair a good once over on the cool setting.  This helps set the style and seal the cuticle down.
6. Finish with a light working spray for volume or serum to fight frizz.

Try not to get discouraged.  It takes a lot practice and patience.  Allow yourself enough time to properly blowdry your hair!

- Kim Hannell, Senior Stylist at Complexions

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Blowdrying Tips & Tricks for Dummies is a post from: Complexions, a Day Spa & Hair Salon in Albany NY